Federer withdraws from Paris Masters; Nadal to end the year as world number 1

A day after winning the Swiss Indoors title, Roger Federer has pulled out of this week’s Paris Masters which means Rafael Nadal will finish the year as world number one.

The 36-year-old battled past Juan Martin del Potro 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3 to win his eighth Swiss Indoors title in Basel on Sunday to reduce the points gap between the two long-time rivals to just 1,460 points. Federer’s withdrawal means Nadal needs only a win on Tuesday to confirm the number one spot for the fourth time in his career.

The 19-time grand slam champion said he withdrew from the Paris Masters because his body needed a break.

“My body is asking for a break. Basel takes a lot out of me emotionally. I had five matches in six days. I feel sorry and sad for Paris.

“I love to play at Bercy. It’s a tough one but they have to understand that it’s for the cause of staying injury-free and healthy,” as reported on UPI.com

The 36-year-old Federer has not played the Paris tournament since 2015. He last won it in 2011.

Nadal starts his Paris Masters campaign against young South Korean Hyeon Chung on Tuesday.